Abstract This paper firstly gives brief details on how best practice emerged and especially on the environmental changes that led to best practice.
Secondly, it discusses bench marking as a key component to best practice and the common characteristics of best practice, with a focus on human resource management and manufacturing organisations.
It describes recent ideas in management and how these link to best practice. Finally, it considers the continuation of the trend and shows how best practice has led us to a new focus on human resource management.
From the paper:
"Best practice management is a current idea that is having a great impact on organisations all over the world. The idea at the heart of best practice is a very simple one "how do the leading organisations manage their operations"? Beyond this basic concept, definitions of best practice vary. These definitions of best practice generally take the form of a list of requirements or elements required for success. Within these lists we see some common overall themes. One of the themes evident is the focus on human resource management.
Best practice focuses largely on making things better. For a company to achieve this they need to not just look at where things are currently, but also where the future lies. To see where best practice is heading, we will also focus on where best practice has evolved from."
Abstract This paper provides a biography of Supreme Court Justice Sandra O'Connor's life before she came to the bench, the politics surrounding her nomination and an analysis of her votes while on the bench so that future votes can be predicted. The paper shows that as the first woman justice, her background and nomination are extremely important. The paper includes a photograph of Sandra Day O'Connor.
From the Paper "During his 1980 presidential campaign, President Ronald Reagan promised to appoint the first woman to the Supreme Court (Abraham 1992). Reagan, weary of duplicating a mistake he made while governor of California in appointing a judge that continuously voted liberally once confirmed, did an extensive background search before appointing O"Connor (Abraham 1992). This included extensive interviews with O"Connor as well as those who knew her well personally and professionally (Abraham 1992). Receiving a favorable report, the President flew her to Washington where he would personally, and secretly, interview her (Abraham 1992). Gaining the support of Stanford alumni, Senator Barry Goldwater, and those that had worked with her in the Arizona legislature, the President almost had no choice other than to nominate her (Abraham 1992). Congressman Morris K. Udall, a Democrat from Arizona, commented that she would have Democrats support because "she's about as moderate a Republican you"ll ever find being appointed by Reagan? (Abraham 1992). On July 7, 1981, President Reagan made the announcement that he would Sandra Day O?Connor to the Supreme Court."
Abstract This paper discusses the pros and cons of physical education and whether or not it is really necessary to include this in the curriculum. It includes the author's own personal experiences with the class in high school so as to give the paper a casual feel rather than a stiff "point vs. point" view.
From the Paper "However, some people believe that students need to learn about physical fitness, and for this reason, gym classes are a very important part of public education. It has been proven that the rate of overweight children has grown significantly in the past few decades and some believe this is due to lack of physical stimulation and entertainment for children that does not require them to exert any physical energy. It is hoped that by requiring students to take gym classes, they will learn proper fitness and how to keep themselves in shape.
This paper explores the main character of "Tuff", an African-American in Paul Beatty's "Tuffy" and keeping him as a bench-mark, compares and contrasts him with another relatively minor character of a rabbi, Spencer.
Abstract The author of this paper compares the characters of Tuffy and Spencer and the reasons behind their atypical life choices that differ in vocation and reputation. Rabbi has an inclination towards getting better and helping people turn better. Similarly Tuffy joins a self-improvement plan and runs for office to help people turn better.
From the Paper "The main character of this book is a 19-year-old African American. His name is Winston Foshay but his obesity and the reputation that he has built around his 320-pound fat has earned him the title of "Tuffy". Another parallel character in this book is that of Spencer Throckmorton whose vocation is in direct contrast with Tuffy's."
Abstract This paper examines the financial status and forecast of The OK Company, a fictitious firm used for a financial case study. Key profitability, asset management, liquidity, and debt management ratios are analyzed. Financial performance is compared to industry and bench marked to the industry leader. Free cash flow is calculated and analyzed. Recommendations to management are made based on the analysis. Based on the recommendations a pro forma income statement and balance sheet is prepared for the upcoming fiscal year.
From the Paper "This paper is a financial analysis of The OK Company, a fictitious firm used in the study of finance. The case, as given, is reproduced in appendix A. This analysis is written from the viewpoint of a consultant who is retained by The OK Company to analyze their 2000/2001 financial reports and forecasts for 2002-2004. Reasonable assumptions are made and indicated in order to facilitate the case study.The following table shows the key financial ratios used to analyze The OK Company, and compare performance to the industry and leader."
This paper argues that, although quasi-public privatized spaces, like Universal City Walk in Los Angeles, show ethnic diversity and do not result in social stratification, they do represent the destruction of democratic public space.
Abstract This paper explains that, although spaces like City Walk do not outright cause social stratification, they do result in segregation and unreal expectations of what public space truly represents. The paper states that a variety of security mechanisms has been put in place to prevent potential criminal activity. The author believes that, although spaces like City Walk may resemble true democratic public spaces, they actually are designed to attract consumers, thereby, automatically filtering out objectionable or disagreeable visitors.
From the Paper "City Walk was developed and constructed as a safe haven for consumers. The clientele that City Walk attracts is a young, affluent and classy sort with money to spend. Consumers do not feel threatened due to the prevalence of security patrols and surveillance cameras that are posted throughout the park. City Walk, however, excludes an important part of the true urban population, people such as the homeless and perhaps even gang members who would normally be visible in a democratic public space."
Abstract This paper discusses how lawyers and politicians have a notorious reputation for their unethical characteristics and how politicizing the judiciary compromises the integrity of judges and the judicial system, in general. It examines the concept an independent judiciary, the status quo of obtaining a bench seat in California and on the federal level, the cons of the California system, and a plan for ensuring the independence of the judiciary in order to understand why change is needed in the current system.
From the Paper "The federal system for appointing judges differs from the state system. At the federal level judges are appointed by the president. Before they take the bench the senate must then approve the president's appointments. Federal judges are appointed for life, but federal judges can be removed from the bench by the process of impeachment if they are considered to be corrupt. By having these judges serve life terms they can make impartial decisions without fear of being voted off the bench in a retention election. This allows them to make judicial decisions by interrupting the letter of the law, rather than popular public opinion it allows the judiciary to remain independent from politics and current issues."
Abstract This paper examines how in the period directly after the resignation and death of Lord Liverpool, the Tory party oscillated between leaders and gradually deteriorated as a parliamentary force. It looks at how after the passing of the Great Reform Act, Robert Peel emerged as evidently the most talented parliamentarian on the opposition benches and how with the support of Wellington acceded to the Premiership in 1834. It discusses the extent to which Peel deserves the title "Liberal Tory" and investigates his reputation as 'The Queen's Minister'. It also provides a fluent and knowledgable account of both the leading political actors of the age and the transition in Victorian party politics.
From the Paper "The Prime Minister certainly appeared to have significant sway over his chorus in terms of gaining their support for the potentially difficult issues of Malt Tax and resignation. Peel's standing within his party increased considerably during the 1834/35 ministry and this gave significant strength to his policy of governing in opposition. Peel aimed essentially to support the government when he thought it right, and make amendments to legislation when necessary. Moreover, he was able to considerably influence government policy on occasion, such as over Ecclessiastical reform."
Abstract This paper discusses that, as the first woman named Justice to the Supreme Court, Sandra Day O?Connor made history because she broke the "glass ceiling"; the bench of the Supreme Court was formally reserved exclusively for men. The author points out that, as a pragmatist, O"Connor normally begins reviewing a case by first inductively discovering the decisional principles by reading selected opinions and internal memos covering a full range of issues. This paper concludes that, although not everyone always agrees with her opinions, assessments, and style, no one questions her diligence and integrity; Sandra Day O"Connor is considered to be the most influential woman in America.
From the Paper "She later took up a course with a major on economics at Stanford University with the intention of using that knowledge in operating a ranch of her own or the Lazy-B ranch itself. When her family encountered a dispute over the ranch, she began to have an interest in law and enrolled at the Stanford Law School after finishing baccalaureate degree in economics, magna cum laude, in 1950. Instead of the traditional three years, she took only two to finish law and then served as editor of the Stanford Law Review until she became a member of the Order of the Coif, a legal honor society (US Supreme Court). She met John O?Connor at this time, who was then also attending law school. Sandra graduated from law school in 1952, again with honors as third in a class of 102. The first placer was William H. Rehnquist, who was to be the Chief Justice. Then she and John were married."
Abstract This paper examines how a particularly special challenge is involved for the educator in the multi-cultural classroom with the various aspects of racial, cultural, and ethnic diversity that is involved. It examines how the teacher who effectively accomplishes the teaching and integration of all students in this classroom environment has the potential of attaining a particularly rewarding experience in education.
Outline
Statement of Thesis
Introduction
Bench-Marks in New York City Schools
Definition of Multi-Cultural Education
History of Multi-Cultural Education
Program Categories
Sub-Cultures Existence with Cultures
Reducing Racism, Prejudice and Other Fear and Ignorance Factors
Issues in Learning
Cooperative Learning
Conclusion
From the Paper "New York City is a place full of diversity and is in fact the home to Ellis Island, Lady Liberty whose arms have taken in all ethnic and cultural representations of the rainbow into her harbor throughout the last 228 years and yet it has not changed. The responsibilities and considerations in educating the Americans of today in New York City grows were more ethnically and culturally diverse as the world becomes smaller and smaller."
Abstract This paper presents a methodology for evaluating the financial health of a company and provides a model for determining and recommending corrective actions to management. Key profitability, asset management, liquidity and debt management ratios are analyzed. Financial performance is compared to industry and bench-marked to the industry leader. Free cash flow is calculated and analyzed. Improvement recommendations to management are made based on the analysis. Using the recommendations a pro forma income statement and balance sheet is prepared for the upcoming fiscal year.
From the Paper "The inventory turnover ratio shows how many times that inventory are sold during the year (Downes & Goodman, 1998, p. 294). The turnover ratio is slightly below the industry and the Leader Corporation. The company is carrying excessive inventory, which costs money that could be used elsewhere (p. 294). Management should evaluate the inventory control process. Minimizing inventory can reduce storage costs (warehousing) and protect the firm from falling prices (p. 294). These cost reductions will further enhance profitability. The inventory turnover ratio is projected to climb to over 13 % in 2004. This is primarily due to the reduction in inventory (loss). Management should manage the reduction in inventory gradually starting in 2002, this will allow some of the inventory to be sold vs. discarded as planned."
Abstract This paper examines former Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, John Marshall. The paper discusses Marshall's many career accomplishments, including army officer, lawyer, delegate, foreign minister, congressman and Secretary of State. The paper also details Marshall's appointment to the Supreme Court bench by President John Adams and his many watershed rulings, such as "Marbury vs. Madison", "McCulloch vs. Maryland" and "Dartmouth College vs. Woodward". The paper then investigates Marshall's contributions to federalism and the opposition he encountered from U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. The paper concludes that Marshall was truly one of the nation's founding fathers, with wide-reaching, long-lasting influence on American political life.
From the Paper "Born the son of Thomas Marshall, a successful planter in the newly formed frontier county of Fauquier, John Marshall received a limited education. His formal education consisted of a year spent at the school of Reverend Archibold Campbell and as a student under a Scottish tutor. He read the works of Horace and Livy, as well as the traditional classics. During the outbreak of the war for independence, Marshall served many different posts. In this time period of his life, he gained the gentlemanly qualities necessary for a career politician. Near the end of the war, Marshall continued his education at William and Mary where he studied law briefly. He was granted a law license in 1780. From this point on, Marshall embarked on a storied political career. His ambition and loyalty eventually carried him to the top of the judicial branch of government."
Abstract This paper explains that, although Article 1, Section 2 and 3, of the constitution sets out the length of the term of office of a member of the House of Representatives and of the Senate, it does not say how many terms a member may have; given their distrust of the legislative branch of government and their suspicions of government in general, it is very likely that the intention of the framers was to have a congressman serve his term and return to his civilian occupation not to become a professional politician as is the case today. The author points out that the framers of the constitution intended for the judicial branch to act as a check on the power of the other two branches; they did not anticipate that the judicial branch would take it upon themselves to legislate from the bench. The paper stresses that the Electoral College is a cumbersome situation, currently giving some states little or no decision in the outcome, and should be replaced with election by popular vote.
From the Paper "Section 1 of Article 3 of the Constitution states that, "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish." Nowhere in this entire article does it spell out the power of the courts to declare laws of the legislature unconstitutional. It may be that the Framers intended for the courts to have this power, but they did not explicitly provide for it. "There is little doubt that the Framers intended the Supreme Court to have the power to declare state legislation unconstitutional, but whether they intended to give it the same power over national legislation is not clear.""
Abstract This paper discusses the power of the Supreme Court in the United States. The paper suggests that the Supreme Court is the final arbiter of constitutionality on just about any issue that is debated among citizens of the United States and it discusses the political and legal problems that have arisen from this situation. It specifically discusses the public outcry regarding activist judges who appear to want to legislate from the bench.
From the Paper "The need for judicial reforms, then, is rather obvious. What is less evident, however, is the means through which to accomplish this reform. Some commentators have suggested a constitutional amendment limiting justices to term limits, albeit long ones, to avoid the political maneuvering inherent in the timing of Justices' retirements and nomination; the amendment provides significant equality among administrations to nominate candidates for the Court without placing undue emphasis on when certain Justices retired (as Justice William Douglas attempted to do by waiting to retire until a Democratic president was in office) (DiTullio and Schochet 2004). Other reforms proposed include different nomination processes, a more significant emphasis on qualifications over political affiliation, less outside lobbyist and interest group involvement, and various other tweaks to the process of choosing members of the judiciary (Yoo 2000, 1465)."
